Custom high-definition silicone restorations and cosmetic covers for prostheses are intended
to match the appearance of the user’s sound-side limb. In addition to the physical characteristics,
the cover must match the user’s skin color. This color match is a difficult process and
traditionally has been done subjectively by the practitioner attempting to match standard color
swatches to the patient’s skin tone. Ambient light and the practitioner’s judgment affect this
process. A new portable spectrophotometer has been developed to solve this problem. It
measures the color, removing the subjectivity from the process. These measurements have 5
times greater resolution than the color swatch approach. It also blocks ambient light and
provides its own broad-spectrum light to assure a good color match across the entire optical
spectrum. As a result, the color match will be good regardless of the lighting condition during
the evaluation. This approach substantially improves the process, resulting in a better color
match and greater acceptance by the user.